Hackers force defrost at hundreds of French supermarkets

Summarised from 6 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 12 Oct, 15:50 · Archive

Cyberattackers remotely heated refrigeration systems to 50C overnight, forcing hundreds of French supermarkets to destroy millions of euros worth of food.

Hundreds of French supermarkets were targeted in a coordinated cyberattack overnight Sunday to Monday that remotely heated their refrigeration systems to 50C, causing massive food spoilage. Attackers compromised the software controlling the temperature regulators, forcing them into a continuous defrost cycle rather than simply shutting down the systems.

Confirmed targets include between 150 and 200 Intermarché stores and almost 100 Coopérative U outlets. Intermarché reported that its refrigerators remained heated for six hours. Additional reports, not yet confirmed by the companies involved, suggest E.Leclerc, Carrefour Market and Monoprix were also attacked. E.Leclerc's management confirmed a cyberattack had affected one of its refrigeration equipment suppliers.

Store staff arriving Monday morning discovered vast quantities of fresh produce, meat, dairy and frozen goods completely spoiled. Two supermarkets in the Alsace region, one Intermarché and one E.Leclerc in Haguenau, reported combined losses of €270,000. Both Intermarché and Coopérative U stated affected branches would have to throw away all compromised fresh and frozen products.

Dominique Schelcher, chief executive of Coopérative U, described the attack as 'unprecedented' and 'unacceptable' in a statement on X. He said: 'Targeting equipment essential to the preservation of fresh products and to the food supply of the French people is extremely serious and is unprecedented. It is unacceptable.' He added that company teams are 'fully mobilised' to restore normal operations.

Paris prosecutors confirmed the attack and indicated it prompted fire outbreaks. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is personally monitoring the situation, according to his office. He has asked France's cybersecurity agency ANSSI to investigate. ANSSI has identified a flaw in software provided by Danish company Danfoss and has contacted the manufacturer. The agency is coordinating with European counterparts as other countries may be affected.

The motivation for the attack remains unknown. Danfoss did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The full scale of the attack across France is still unclear as investigations continue.

How it is being reported

• Cyber-attack defrosts refrigerators in two French supermarket chainsAn estimated 150-200 Intermarché shops were targeted, along with almost 100 Cooperative U outlets French supermarket chains Intermarché and Cooperative U have been hit by an “unprecedented” cyber-attack that caused their refrigerators to defrost, the two retailers have said. An estimated 150-200 Intermarché shops were targeted, along with almost 100 Cooperative U outlets, in the attack, they said on Monday. Continue reading...Guardian World · 12 Oct, 16:24
• Hackers target fridges in French supermarkets in ‘unprecedented’ cyberattack to spoil foodHackers target fridges across Intermarché, E.Leclerc, and Super U stores, reportedly causing millions of euros in food lossesIndependent World · 12 Oct, 15:40
• French supermarket fridges heated to 50C in 'unprecedented' cyber attackHundreds of stores were targeted by the overnight hack, which spoiled fresh and frozen food estimated to be worth millions of euros.BBC News · 12 Oct, 15:30
• French supermarkets face food crisis after cyberattack hits refrigeratorsFrance's cyber agency coordinating with European counterparts in response to hackers.Politico Europe · 12 Oct, 14:47
• Cyber attackers defrost freezers in hundreds of supermarkets across France, costing them millionsCyber attackers have hacked hundreds of supermarkets across France and defrosted their freezers. The motivation behind the attack on Sunday is so far unknown and remains a mystery.Daily Mail · 12 Oct, 14:20
• Cyberattack shuts down French supermarket refrigeratorsSeveral French supermarket chains were targeted overnight Sunday to Monday in a cyberattack that affected refrigerators in some 150-200 Intermarche stores and almost 100 Cooperative U locations, according to the two retailers.France 24 · 12 Oct, 12:53
• French supermarket chains say cyberattack forced refrigerator shutdownMajor French supermarket chains Intermarche and Cooperative U were hit by a cyberattack that caused their refrigerators to defrost, the two retailers told AFP Monday.France 24 · 12 Oct, 12:53

In this story: Intermarché · Coopérative U · E.Leclerc · France · Dominique Schelcher · Danfoss · ANSSI · Paris

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem